- Sections here:
- Background |
- Objectives |
- Target Audience |
- VDC launch |
- Our funders
The Vietnamese Development Centre
Background : There is a community of some 3,500 Vietnamese in Birmingham, the majority of whom live in the area of the city now known as the “North West Corridors” — Handsworth, Lozells, Nechells, Ladywood, Aston.
Most adults arrived in the UK as refugees in the late 1970s, many as so-called “boatpeople”. They were subsequently joined by other family members and have now made their homes in Birmingham — working together to improve their own lives and circumstances, while at the same time hopefully contributing to the social, economic and cultural life of the city.
We do not forget the events that led to our having to leave our home country, and we carry our refugee experience with us. However, particularly for the sake of our younger generations, we also recognise the importance of looking to the future, and the Vietnamese Development Centre is an attempt to institutionalise this forward-looking outlook, harnessing the experience of community activists with the energy and enthusiasm of our younger age group.
TopAims and objectives: The Vietnamese Development Centre (VDC) is a newly established community group, aiming to promote the interests of the Vietnamese community as a whole and to improve the quality of life for the individuals, and to meet the growing needs of the Vietnamese community, many of whom are local residents in the North West of Birmingham.
VDC aims to bring the following services and developments:
- Improved community facilities for the Vietnamese community and the wider neighbourhood.
- Engagement of members of the Vietnamese community in developing services that meet local needs and instill a sense of local pride
- Encouragement of participation by and communication with the community
- Increased organisational capacity to secure further funding to facilitate the development of a wider spectrum of services in a coherent and structured manner
- Assistance of finding of training and employment opportunities
- Promoting volunteering opportunities
- Establishing a Vietnamese Healthy Living Project
- Establishing sport activities
Target Audience: Due to the language barrier and the low economic activity rate of the Vietnamese community, many are unable to access mainstream services and suffer from multi-dimensional social exclusion.
VDC aims to serve particularly the following groups:
- Unemployed or families on low income
- Elderly
- Young people
- Women experience exclusion and disadvantage
While having a clear target group, the Vietnamese Development Centre is open to all and welcome users from all communities in the neighbourhood area.
The Launch of VDC : launched formally in conjunction with our celebrations for the commencement of the Year of the Monkey on Sunday 1st February 2004.
Over 100 distinguished guests, delegates and members attended the event, including the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Birmingham - Councilor John Alden and Councilor Mrs Deirdre Alden - Councilor Carl Rice, Chair of Ladywood Constituency ward, and Councilor Tony Kennedy, Aston ward.
The event was opened by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, and that was followed by joyful Vietnamese cultural performances, and a brief presentation from the Chair of the VDC.
The event enabled those present to find out more about the work of the Vietnamese Development Centre and to meet its management group and members.
The Vietnamese Development Centre would like to thank all of those who attended and were involved in the event.
A big thank you to our funders ...
